Chapter 73, 20 verses
O thou folded in garments!
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. O thou wrapped up in thy raiment!
O you who wraps himself [in clothing],
Stand (to prayer) by night, but not all night, -
Keep vigil the night long, save a little -
Arise [to pray] the night, except for a little -
Half of it, - or a little less,
A half thereof, or abate a little thereof
Half of it - or subtract from it a little
Or a little more; and recite the Qur'an in slow, measured rhythmic tones.
Or add (a little) thereto - and chant the Qur'an in measure,
Or add to it, and recite the Qur'an with measured recitation.
Soon shall We send down to thee a weighty Message.
For we shall charge thee with a word of weight.
Indeed, We will cast upon you a heavy word.
Truly the rising by night is most potent for governing (the soul), and most suitable for (framing) the Word (of Prayer and Praise).
Lo! the vigil of the night is (a time) when impression is more keen and speech more certain.
Indeed, the hours of the night are more effective for concurrence [of heart and tongue] and more suitable for words.
True, there is for thee by day prolonged occupation with ordinary duties:
Lo! thou hast by day a chain of business.
Indeed, for you by day is prolonged occupation.
But keep in remembrance the name of thy Lord and devote thyself to Him whole - heartedly.
So remember the name of thy Lord and devote thyself with a complete devotion -
And remember the name of your Lord and devote yourself to Him with [complete] devotion.
(He is) Lord of the East and the West: there is no god but He: take Him therefore for (thy) Disposer of Affairs.
Lord of the East and the West; there is no God save Him; so choose thou Him alone for thy defender -
[He is] the Lord of the East and the West; there is no deity except Him, so take Him as Disposer of [your] affairs.
And have patience with what they say, and leave them with noble (dignity).
And bear with patience what they utter, and part from them with a fair leave - taking.
And be patient over what they say and avoid them with gracious avoidance.
And leave Me (alone to deal with) those in possession of the good things of life, who (yet) deny the Truth; and bear with them for a little while.
Leave Me to deal with the deniers, lords of ease and comfort (in this life); and do thou respite them awhile.
And leave Me with [the matter of] the deniers, those of ease [in life], and allow them respite a little.
With Us are Fetters (to bind them), and a Fire (to burn them),
Lo! with Us are heavy fetters and a raging fire,
Indeed, with Us [for them] are shackles and burning fire
And a Food that chokes, and a Penalty Grievous.
And food which choketh (the partaker), and a painful doom
And food that chokes and a painful punishment -
One Day the earth and the mountains will be in violent commotion. And the mountains will be as a heap of sand poured out and flowing down.
On the day when the earth and the hills rock, and the hills become a heap of running sand.
On the Day the earth and the mountains will convulse and the mountains will become a heap of sand pouring down.
We have sent to you, (O men!) a messenger, to be a witness concerning you, even as We sent a messenger to Pharaoh.
Lo! We have sent unto you a messenger as witness against you, even as We sent unto Pharaoh a messenger.
Indeed, We have sent to you a Messenger as a witness upon you just as We sent to Pharaoh a messenger.
But Pharaoh disobeyed the messenger; so We seized him with a heavy Punishment.
But Pharaoh rebelled against the messenger, whereupon We seized him with no gentle grip.
But Pharaoh disobeyed the messenger, so We seized him with a ruinous seizure.
Then how shall ye, if ye deny (Allah), guard yourselves against a Day that will make children hoary - headed? -
Then how, if ye disbelieve, will ye protect yourselves upon the day which will turn children grey,
Then how can you fear, if you disbelieve, a Day that will make the children white - haired?
Whereon the sky will be cleft asunder? His Promise needs must be accomplished.
The very heaven being then rent asunder. His promise is to be fulfilled.
The heaven will break apart therefrom; ever is His promise fulfilled.
Verily this is an Admonition: therefore, whoso will, let him take a (straight) path to his Lord!
Lo! This is a Reminder. Let him who will, then, choose a way unto his Lord.
Indeed, this is a reminder, so whoever wills may take to his Lord a way.
Thy Lord doth know that thou standest forth (to prayer) nigh two - thirds of the night, or half the night, or a third of the night, and so doth a party of those with thee. But Allah doth appoint night and day in due measure He knoweth that ye are unable to keep count thereof. So He hath turned to you (in mercy): read ye, therefore, of the Qur'an as much as may be easy for you. He knoweth that there may be (some) among you in ill - health; others travelling through the land, seeking of Allah's bounty; yet others fighting in Allah's Cause, read ye, therefore, as much of the Qur'an as may be easy (for you); and establish regular Prayer and give regular Charity; and loan to Allah a Beautiful Loan. And whatever good ye send forth for your souls ye shall find it in Allah's Presence, - yea, better and greater, in Reward and seek ye the Grace of Allah: for Allah is Oft - Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Lo! thy Lord knoweth how thou keepest vigil sometimes nearly two - thirds of the night, or (sometimes) half or a third thereof, as do a party of those with thee. Allah measureth the night and the day. He knoweth that ye count it not, and turneth unto you in mercy. Recite, then, of the Qur'an that which is easy for you. He knoweth that there are sick folk among you, while others travel in the land in search of Allah's bounty, and others (still) are fighting for the cause of Allah. So recite of it that which is easy (for you), and establish worship and pay the poor - due, and (so) lend unto Allah a goodly loan. Whatsoever good ye send before you for your souls, ye will find it with Allah, better and greater in the recompense. And seek forgiveness of Allah. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
Indeed, your Lord knows, [O Muhammad], that you stand [in prayer] almost two thirds of the night or half of it or a third of it, and [so do] a group of those with you. And Allah determines [the extent of] the night and the day. He has known that you [Muslims] will not be able to do it and has turned to you in forgiveness, so recite what is easy [for you] of the Qur'an. He has known that there will be among you those who are ill and others traveling throughout the land seeking [something] of the bounty of Allah and others fighting for the cause of Allah. So recite what is easy from it and establish prayer and give zakah and loan Allah a goodly loan. And whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allah. It is better and greater in reward. And seek forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.